Republicans always act with outrage and disbelief when the Democrats up the political battle. For example, when the Republicans took the unprecedented step of filibustering virtually every piece of legislation, Democrats changed the filibuster rules. It was a change in procedure to which Republicans pretended to be shocked and angered.

It should have been predictable. After all. This is politics. Neither side sits and accepts some new advantage for which the other side has taken advantage. The change in filibuster rules was no exception.

Now that Republicans seem willing to stake their political future on a whole new level of obstructionism, Democrats will no doubt escalate the war. That is the way war works. Because both sides want to win.

So Republicans should not be surprised when in the second half of some Republican President’s term, Democrats refuse to consider Supreme court nominees. After all, if we’re going to change from accepting nominations as long as the President is in office, why is one year magical. Why not two years? Why not three? Why not just refuse to ever consider any nominees?

There will be an escalation. It may not be what we expect. But there will be an escalation.

The Republicans will win this battle. They may lose the next battle. The war will continue. Republicans will win. Democrats will win.